Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by Rider Sports Information.
OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS- Rider University senior forward Abi Cottam is one of 30 women soccer players in the nation selected as a candidate for the 2012 Senior CLASS Award.
The Senior CLASS Award, for student-athletes who excel both on and off the field, is presented to a senior with notable achievements in four areas of excellence-community, classroom, character and competition.
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A Psychology major with a 3.99 cumulative grade point average, Cottam was a CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-American last year.
Named to the 2012 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason All-MAAC Soccer Team, on a vote by the conference coaches. Cottam (Leominster, England) earned First Team All-MAAC and Second Team All-Region honors last year when she led the MAAC in goals, assists and points.
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Her 14 goals last season ranked 14th in the nation, her 11 assists ranked eighth in the nation and her point total of 39 was sixth in the nation in 2011.
After missing all of preseason and most of the 2009 year with an eye injury as a freshman, Cottam has compiled 22 goals and a Rider-record 22 assists for 66 points in 52 career games to date.
This season Cottam has led the Broncs to a best-ever 5-1-1 start to the season.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The 30 candidates will be narrowed down to 10 finalists midway through the regular season.
Other members of the MAAC who are also candidates for the 2012 Senior CLASS Award are Jannis Opalka of the Siena men's team and Nichole Schiro of the Loyola women's team.
